8.16.2008

Todd Bentley Update: Sad Sad News....



As I said Todd Bentley separated from his wife. Fresh Fires Ministries reports more:

We wish to acknowledge, however, that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.


Sad indeed. However, J. Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine raises a few good questions in his recent editorial. He writes:

I’m sad. I’m disappointed. And I’m angry. Here are few of my many, many questions about this fiasco:

Why did so many people flock to Lakeland from around the world to rally behind an evangelist who had serious credibility issues from the beginning?

To put it bluntly, we’re just plain gullible.

From the first week of the Lakeland revival, many discerning Christians raised questions about Bentley’s beliefs and practices. They felt uneasy when he said he talked to an angel in his hotel room. They sensed something amiss when he wore a T-shirt with a skeleton on it. They wondered why a man of God would cover himself with tattoos. They were horrified when they heard him describe how he tackled a man and knocked his tooth out during prayer.


As a former Pentecostal, I have to admit that I was suckered years ago into saying, and doing lots of things that were plain dumb. I can attest to the fact that we took pride in knowing that we were "spirit-filled" and didn't fuss around with deep doctrine or with being discerning. But the book of Proverbs 27:12 says

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,but the simple go on and suffer for it.


Grady continues:


"But among those who jumped on the Lakeland bandwagon, discernment was discouraged. They were expected to swallow and follow. The message was clear: “This is God. Don’t question.” So before we could all say, “Sheeka Boomba” (as Bentley often prayed from his pulpit), many people went home, prayed for people and shoved them to the floor with reckless abandon, Bentley-style."

My question would be,"Did Charisma or anyone in the Charismatic world seriously raise questions about Bentley before this fiasco happened?" I'm sure THIS


raises a few questions for people. I might also add, that the few people who were raising questions were people like Christian Research Network and ministries like slice of laodicea and the Pyromaniacs. Where were the wise Charismatic Pastors who should have been more discerning?

More to the point, will we ever grow up? Grady continues:


Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It’s way past time for us to grow up.

A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley’s news hit the fan. He said to me: “I’m now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment.” Ouch. Hopefully we’ll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up."


Ouch indeed. We MUST become a more discerning people. The only way that will happen is by reading our BIBLES! I may be charismatic and reformed, but I'm not gullible. Neither should you. In the next few days I will be exploring discernment and how you can spot danger in your church.

On a final note, I want you all to understand that I make a distinction between the circus sideshow that is Lakeland and a genuine move of the Spirit. I do believe that the gifts are in effect today, and the Holy Spirit can manifest in amazing ways. Kind of like this (watch it all, it's very moving):

7 comments:

  1. Former Pentecostal myself. I think discernment has flown right out the window on the whole Todd Bentley thing. people are so eager for a physical manifestation of God that they'll believe anything. I guess we're not to ask any questions whatsoever....that would be "judging". It saddens me that so many still defend him so vehemently.

    ReplyDelete
  2. In trying to defend the gift of tongues the Pentecostals got focused on it. Charismatics were right in mentioning that there are other gifts too. Problem is they forgot discernment and along with it the boldness to exercise it in a meeting. Vineyard/TACFers were known to have said some of the things going on in their meetings "was of God, some was of the flesh and some was of the Devil." But it was doomed to become corrupted at that very moment since no one dared to put their foot down and say "hey you over there stop it and sit down! Let's turn our eyes back on the Lord." Dangerous when God becomes a drug and people begin to worship their feelings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What will it take to open the eyes of Charismatics to see that thier doctrinal errors regarding the sign gifts leads to lack of discernment and a whole myriad of Todd Bentleys. I saw this one coming from the other side of the pond in a nana second- Sad
    Read your Bibles in context please

    ReplyDelete
  4. I attend a Sovereign Grace Church, have attended for a while, and feel called by God to the church. I would rather have a controlled wilfdire at church where 60% of the manifestations are of the Spirit, then to grieve the Holy Spirit, and never give God a chance to move in our midst. I would rather see the day where God is not put in a box, then be around a bunch of "charasmatic" reformists who have a head knowledge of God and guard there doctrine so tightly, that there is little to know experiential knowledge. This is what I see around me. Forgive me for stereotyping, but when I came across a blog for reformists and saw negative reports and posts about Todd, I had to say something. Read some A.W. Tosier books, know the authority you have in Christ, preach the Full Gospel, bring the kingdom to the streets, and leave the judging of what is of God and the Holy Spirit, to God!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What about the other 40%? It's OK if they're manifestations of the devil, as long as 60% might be of God? Who knows which manifestation is which? That's like saying we should read the satanic bible just in case there's some biblical truth in it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm shocked that you would make a 60% statement, are you serious? Do you truly believe that we are not to "judge"? Of course the LORD will make salvific judgement but we are called, admonished and warned throught scripture to test, judge, discern...
    What is sad is that non-believers
    can see quickly through a Todd Bentley charade and yet many "Christians" not only are blind to it they still refuse to re-evaluate the disasterous effects of much of Charismatic theology that is almost in direct opposition to many scriptuaral teachings. If we do not properly "judge" false teachings, we will be held accountable by our LORD and King, Jesus. Let's pray for true repentance for Todd Bentley not only from the known sins but from the fleshly theology and reckless spititual shows he put on.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The big crowds have moved on from the Lakeland “Revival” looking for another “Jesus circus” because the star performer, Todd Bentley’s private life was found to mirror his Theology and he has at least temporarily stopped “drop-kicking” people for the Savior. Now it’s time for the body of Christ to do some “cleaning up.” Yes, Todd Bentley’s sick show full of false healings, wildly embellished fictitious tales of spiritual encounters and violent “ministry sessions is simply an extension of the chaotic charismatic crusades that have been dragging the name of the LORD through the mud for a number of years now. Why, we could print quite a list of “Charismatic criminals” that have hoodwinked the faithful for false spiritual promise while lining their pockets and buying earthly mansions and private planes! Secular news shows have shamed the body of Christ by being the ones to uncover scandalous and extravagant ministries because leaders of the charismatic movement are themselves either deceived, corrupt or without the bold integrity needed to clean up the mess!
    I had never seen Todd Bentley when I started warning brothers and sisters about him Why? I simply read some of his “teachings”, “prophecies”… with Fresh Fire Ministries.
    His wildly un-theological ramblings and not believable prophecies showed an unstable
    and unhealthy handling of God’s Holy Scriptures when and if he even used them.
    I remember while serving on the mission field in the Middle East that I met a female Charismatic pastor who became so upset with me for speaking against Todd Bentley that her anger was at the point of tears! (She had zero discernment). Then came the not so
    surprising “fall” and as quickly as Todd blew into Lakeland, he and the “spirit” moved out. No more “tales” of cancerous tumors exploding out of legs and running down, no more arrogant and shameful “stories” of putting a “biker boot” in the nose of a female senior citizen or giving a knuckle sandwich to a Japanese onlooker. Just writing A FEW of the many embarrassing incidents of the Lakewood fiasco causes me to seriously question the spiritual discernment of absolutely every Christian Pastor, leader… in the Charismatic movement that endorsed or knew of Bentley’s unscriptural antics and did not lift their voice in protest to stop the circus.
    How long will we need to endure the likes of Toronto “blessings”, Brownsville, Pensacola and Lakewood “revivals”?
    The John Arnauts, Rodney Browns and Todd Bentleys may be “laughing in the spirit” but I’m not. I’m crying in the Spirit over the enormous damage done to the body of Christ
    And the misrepresentation of the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” that continues
    To be shown to an un-believing world.

    Jeff

    ReplyDelete

Thanks!